Wow... ye kaun sa mahaan country hai No wonder they chose Canada as a better country to live in than USA.

But still, I think this is unfair to the business... and other unemployed people... ain't it Unless... unless... unless there is no unemployment. In that case... wow, ye kaisa mahaan country hai

I don't think it's unfair. You need to be working for a certain number of years to qualify for this unemployment insurance (for pregnancy). You pay a fair amount every paubch check. As such, there would be a lot of reasons why one would want to have a kid but I highly doubt someone one would fall pregnant only to get 12 months insurance. Also mind you, you don't make 100% of your pay. There is a percentage and it's not even 50%, less than that.

The way I see it, it's excellent for business. See, usually when people go on Mat leave, they hire a contract for that period. My experience is that, if that contractor is good, he gets a full time job in the same company in a department that has vacancy. It's good for people who need a job. It's good for business because it is filling a full time position knowing how well the contractor performs, win win.

As for every one else, if they lose their job for whatever reasons, the insurance kicks in. So, I don't believe it's unfair for anyone involved.

One lady in Inglistan was saying that if a married woman gets pregnant there, she gets nothing. If an unmarried woman gets pregnant, she gets 1000 pounds a month.

That may be incorrect.. US is one of the worst when it cones to maternity leave. Came up for discussion recently when thd team threw a baby shower lunch for a lady going on leave

Maternity Leaves Around The World: Worst And Best Countries For Paid Maternity Leave

When it comes to the world's maternity leaves report card, not all countries are passing with flying colours.

In a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the majority of the United States (excluding two states) received a failing grade in providing women and new mothers support entering motherhood.

In at least 178 countries around the world, paid leave is guaranteed for working moms, while more than 50 countries provide wage benefits for fathers, according to the ILO. The United States, along with Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Liberia and Lesotho are some of the only countries in the world that provide no type of financial support for mothers, according to a study done by McGill University’s Institute for Health and Social Policy.

Maternity leaves aren't simply a matter of time off for childcare -- they can also strongly impact the rest of a child's life. According to a report by non-governmental organization Save The Children, in countries with longer periods of parental leave, children were found to be breastfed for longer and their life expectancy was higher.

The group looked at the top developed countries that are succeeding in maternity leave benefits, and which ones continue to lag behind. The country with the longest paid leave topped out at 420 days, while the length of time for countries with the lowest paid and unpaid leaves was around 12 weeks.

Here are the maternity leave benefits for 43 developed countries in 2011, from shortest to longest periods of time. Are you surprised by the findings?

Maternity Leaves From Around The World

United States:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 12 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: No national program but cash benefits may be provided at the state level.

Iceland:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 3 months for the mother, 3 months for the father, and 3 months that can be taken by either parent (total of 9 months)
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80 (up to ISK350,000 per month)

Norway:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 36 to 46 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Parental benefits paid at 100 per cent for the shorter duration of leave and 80 per cent for the longer option.

Albania:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 365 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80 per cent prior to birth and for 150 days after and 50 per cent for the rest of the leave period.

Bosnia And Herzegovina:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 1 Year
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 82 per cent for the first 30 days and 75 per cent for the remaining period.

Canada:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 55 per cent at 17 weeks for maternity leave, and the additional 35 weeks can be taken by either parent. Wages also depend on province.

United Kingdom:
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 weeks; however, pay is only for 39 weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 90 of average weekly earnings for first 6 weeks; £139.58 or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for next 33 weeks